Marloes Coenen added to DREAM 18 lineup

Former Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen seems likely for an eventual stint in the UFC but the Dutch submission-specialist’s next scrap will come inside a ring rather than the Octagon. Coenen is the latest fighter of note to find a home on the DREAM/Glory Spots International card scheduled for Saitama Super Arena in Japan on New Year’s Eve.

According to an official press release, Coenen will face fellow grappler Fiona Muxlow at the December 31 event.

“I’m so excited to fight at the most anticipated event of the year in Japan. GSI is producing DREAM on New Year’s Eve and it’s great that they have a female fight so prominently on the card. On the other side of the world there’s also a highly-anticipated female fight coming up, so I’m really happy that women are getting the attention that they deserve,” explained Coenen in a prepared statement. “Knowing that I already submitted one half of the UFC’s first-ever female fight (Liz Carmouche), I’m keen on testing myself here in the Far East where martial arts started. I’m still one of the world’s top females and have been ever since winning my first world title in Japan in 2000. I’m strong in my mission to dominate the women’s MMA world.”

Coenen holds an overall record of 20-5 with fourteen tap-outs to her credit. Among the opponents she’s beaten are Carmouche, Roxanne Modafferi, and Sarah Kaufman. Comparably, Muxlow is 6-1 and is currently on a three-fight winning streak.